Boeing challenges Denmark over choice of Lockheed Martin jets

COPENHAGEN, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Boeing formally
challenged a decision by the Danish government to pick Lockheed
Martin's F-35 fighter jet over its own Super Hornet,
saying on Thursday the choice was based on a "flawed evaluation
process".

Boeing said it had submitted a request to the country's
ministry of defence that would require it to provide all
materials related to the procurement evaluation and decision
announced in June.

"We believe the ministry's evaluation of the competitors was
fundamentally flawed and inaccurately assessed the cost and
capability of the F/A-18 Super Hornet," said Boeing vice
president Debbie Rub.

In May Boeing challenged the Danish government's
recommendation to buy 27 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin,
questioning data which suggested its Super Hornet fighter jet
was a more expensive option.

A ministry report in May evaluating each fighter jet
candidate was based on data estimating that the Super Hornet
would have a service life of 6,000 flying hours, while Boeing
thinks the right figure for Denmark is 9,500 hours.

The report also concluded that the total cost of the F-35
jet is 42.2 billion Danish crowns ($6.4 billion) while the Super
Hornet would cost 60.6 billion crowns.
($1 = 6.6284 Danish crowns)
(Reporting by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen; Editing by Alexander
Smith)